CITYWIDE — People flock to Santa Monica’s thrice-weekly Farmers’ Markets for their pick of fresh produce from the Golden State, but a handful of Santa Monicans are joining a movement that takes “local” to a whole new level. With the help of a Los Angeles-based company called Farmscape... Read more →

Dear New Shrink, I have an interview scheduled for next week and I have been busy preparing for the potential questions I might receive. Several resources I have reviewed have also recommended that I prepare questions to ask the interviewer at the end of the interview. What types of questions should I prepare to ask? How many questions should... Read more →

BY JESS HILTON Special to the Daily Press During the holidays, one of the ways we celebrate is by gathering around the dinner table with friends and loved ones for the ritual of sharing food. Sadly, for many of us this tradition only happens a handful of times each year. In the not too distance past, it wasn’t uncommon for families... Read more →

It’s that time of year when we tend to reflect on the past and make plans for the future. If we aren’t doing this, we probably should be. It is a good idea to take stock of our lives and decide what we are missing, what we need to let go of, and then think about our goals for the coming year. Resolutions for the new year should... Read more →

Holiday crunch time on the Third Street Promenade certainly brings elevated levels of shopping mayhem. All of the congestion, large crowds and seasonal cheesiness does indeed bring out the Grinch in me. Therefore, I try to stay as far away from the insanity as possible. But alas, I found myself getting sucked into the epicenter like a... Read more →

Fela Anikulapo-Kuti was the Lady Gaga of Nigeria in the 1970s. The creator of Afrobeat, a fusion of jazz, funk, psychedelic rock and traditional West African chants and rhythms, Fela became an international phenomenon and then went on to become a notorious political activist, the scourge of the Nigerian government, and the founder of the... Read more →

Many a Sunday morning we enjoyed a dim sum brunch at the old VIP Seafood Restaurant on Wilshire Boulevard and Barrington Avenue. One nice feature was that we got dim sum right away from the rolling carts while we waited for a few special dishes. The former name, VIP, has morphed into the Palace, and although the place looks very much the... Read more →

As 2011 comes to an end, this is a great time to reflect on your successes and evaluate your professional and career goals. Oftentimes we end up being so busy during the year that we move from one project to the next without truly taking time to acknowledge all that we have done. However, it is important that you take time to identify your... Read more →

I loved the safari, enjoyed meeting the Masai and had the most amazing time exploring Kenya. Now for a different kind of adventure. I decided to go to Mount Kilimanjaro. If climbing Kilimanjaro has been on your wish list, I discovered it was one of the easiest things to organize. Two options to get to the climb, catch a short flight from... Read more →

DVDs ‘Limitless’ (Unrated Extended Cut) Bradley Cooper stars as Eddie Morra, a burnt-out writer, who comes into a top-secret pill that taps into 100 percent of his brain's abilities. The ensuing display of mind-bending talents and brilliant visions bring him a dream life until the pill's side effects kick in. This version... Read more →

Like any new business Z Garden is indeed working out some of the unexpected yet unavoidable kinks. Co-owner Shadi Abed, posts himself close to the entrance working partly as a greeter and also as the guy who has to shut the faulty door that wants to constantly stay open. The dining area still awaits the Farmers’ Market hook-up who... Read more →

Dear New Shrink, I am engaged and in the process of planning my wedding. Most of my friends have already gotten married but a number of them also have already split up. Some of them have young children that they are already arguing over. It’s really sad. I just don’t understand it and it worries me. Am I headed down the same path?... Read more →

WILSHIRE BLVD — For me, any which way you slice it, pizza can do no wrong. Whether it is the 3 a.m. microwavable abomination at the gas station, or a pie hand-tossed by Wolfgang Puck himself, if there is melted cheese on some form of bread, I am a fan. Admittedly, I am not the toughest of customers. However, after tasting Milo &... Read more →

It’s not the same old Drago. Like most high-end restaurants, it changes from time to time. And when I was last there I found a number of changes on the menu and in the staff. That’s one of the problems of writing a review suggesting that one restaurant is the best in any way. The number of replies from readers goes way up.... Read more →

So, you’ve finally got those breast implants you’ve been wanting for some time, and now you are wondering how long you have before you need to get them replaced. As a plastic surgeon specializing in breast augmentation, I am frequently asked when breast implants should be “changed out” or replaced for safety’s... Read more →